Ganga Ashtami or Radha Ashtami.........
8th day of bright fortnight of Bhadun
A fair is held ar Harmukata Ganga where ashes of those who have died
during the past twelve months are carried and thrown into the lake there
after performing the Shraddha. Another fair is held at Ganga Jatan
(Pratapsinghpora) where a bath is taken by the pilgrims in the water
oozing out from a precipice there. In leap years the fairs are not held
at Harmukata Ganga and Ganga Jatan, but at Sharda and then it is called
Sharada Ashtami.
Rajnath Raina (Magam)
Kashmir valley has always remained a holy region because of its
sacred temples, lakes, springs, caves, mountains, rivers and other
places of pilgrimage.
Most of these sacred places are of high religious importance for Hindus
in general and Kashmiri Hindus in particular. Kalhan Pandit, the author
of Raj Tarangni finds a tirath (Sacred place) after every step in
Kashmir.
All the pilgrimages in Kashmir have extraordinary significance : religious and social.
Every tirath has some natural virtue. For instance, the Holy Spring of
Mata Khir Bhawani at Tulmula Kashmir changes its colours naturally. In
the Holy cave of Amar Nath Holy icelingam is formed naturally. Similarly
at other places there is some definite divine connection.
There is a place in District Budgam namely ‘Gange Jattan’’ near Bunhama
village on Beeru Budgam road where water falls in the form of Jattas
(jet) only on the auspicious day of Ganga Ashtami while on other days of
the year, it remains dry. The pilgrimage of this tirath is supposed to
be compulsory for Kashmiri Hindus.
One of the most sacred tiraths of Kashmir is Pushkar tiraths. It is a holy spring with sweet and extreme cold water.
There are two Pushkar Tiraths in the world, one is at Rajasthan and the
second is in Kashmir valley. At both these Tiraths Lord Brahma (Creator)
is worshipped. Both these places are situated in the West.
The Pushkar tirath of Kashmir is known to Kashmiri Hindus only and the
Hindus of erstwhile (undivided) Jammu and Kashmir. The Tirath yatra of
this place is treated as most important and of high religious
importance.
It is an established saying among Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmiri language
that after the death of any individual Lord Dharm Raja will ask some
questions to the person in the next world which include:-
* “Hoshi Rastya/Hoshi Rasti, Pushker Chhaka Gamech.’’
* ‘’Laare Ladha/Laare Ladhi Haare Bah Chhaya Kermech’’
* Inder Humlya/Inder Humli Inder Bah Chhaya Kermech’’
* Zange Chatya/Zange Chachi Gang Jattan Chhakha Gamech’’
As per Nilamata Purana verse number 1396
Venerable sage Kasyapa travelled over the whole earth in connection with holy pilgrimage Pushkara.
‘‘Pushkar Tirath’’ of Kashmir is situated in the west of Kashmir valley
in village Pushkar in Tehsil Beerwah, Distt Budgam. The village is named
after the name of Tirath Raj Pushkar. The village is situated in
between Khag (Beeru) and Ferozpora (Tangmarg).
The literary meaning of Pushkar is (Pokhar) a spring. Puskhar is
identified with this spring. The Tirath Raj is as old as the existence
of human beings in the valley. Nilmat Puran, Rajtarangni and other
historical documents bear a testimony to it. It is said that Kalhana
personally visited this tirath. As per his writings, he says thousands
of yatris visited this Tirath especially on the auspious day of Pushkar
Amavasya, which follows Krishna Janam Ashtami. He writes that as much
water flows out of this holy spring which can run a water “Gharat’’.
Presently, the holy spring is of small size but the water is having the
same virtues which it had earlier. Prior to migration, an yearly
“Hawan’’ was performed by Magam Bangil (Tangmarg) Sabha at the Tirath
Raj. Thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the valley used to visit
the Tirath Raj on the auspicious day of Pushkar Amavasya. There is no
dharmashalla near this Tirath Raj. However due to the sincere and
devoted co-operation of local people this need never arose. The local
people kept their houses open for yatris and offered milk and other food
material to them free of cost.
The yatra starts as soon as Pushkar Amavasya begins, with a holy dip in
the holy spring. After the dip yatris start ‘Parikarma’ which starts
from the spring and ends at Sangam near village Chhandil Wanigam
(Tangmarg). The total distance of the parikarma is about 17 kms. There
are 7 stops along the Parikarma.
* Pushkar (Holy Spring)
* Garud Ashram (Natural Water Fall)
* Nagbal (A Holy Spring).
* Hams Dwar (Small Lake)
* Sangam (2-3 Springs, yatris can have ‘‘Sharad’’ at this place).
Local people call this auspicious day of Pushkar Amavasya as Pushkar Divay.
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